Has anyone who's downloaded the digital version comment on the menu designs? I hope they're similar to the LOTR in their old-world feel with maps and calligraphy, and that all the versions are the same.

Thanks very much for those shots of the appendices contents! However I'm worried because I adore the LOTR appendices (I've watched all 6 discs through half a dozen times each) and I'm wondering what the content is like this time around?

Looking at those screenshots, it looks like "part 7" is all about the filming process, while "part 8" is about individual character and race designs.

For LOTR, it was very different. The first appendix disc for each film (parts 1, 3 and 5) were all about art design, writing, miniatures, props and so on, while the second disc of each (parts 2, 4 and 6) had features on the filming, effects, sound, music and release of each movie. Is all that stuff covered but AUJ's appendices?

Now a really huge favour, and I'd totally understand if you don't want to do this. But in one of those screenshots "Mr Baggins: The 14th Member" is selected, and on the right in red text it shows the running time of that featurette. Would you (or anyone else) be willing to give us a list of every featurette and each running time? Again, no worries if this is too much work. I'm just going crazy because I have to wait until November 20th to get the bluray in Australia.

I'm in Australia too, and I couldn't wait that long which is why I got the EE through iTunes.

But in regards to your first question. The features are very much similar in tone to what was on the LOTR EEs. There aren't so much specific featurettes focused on the VFX for the movie as a whole but instead it is covered within the individual documentaries along with all the other aspects (if you know what I mean.) But don't worry, they're great. If you loved the Lord Of The Rings ones, you'll love these.

The Company Of Thorin: 1:02:42 Mr Baggins The fourteenth member: 16:12 Durin's Folk Creating The Dwarves: 57:26 The People And Denizens Of Middle Earth: 58:19 Realms Of The Third Age: 59:03 The Songs Of The Hobbit: 32:32 Credits: 3:22

Some of the above have individual chapters for example the Company of Thorin feature is split between the groups (i.e Dori, Nori and Ori is one chapter.)

So instead of having individual featurettes about stuff like adapting the book and creating the music, those things are incorporated into each of these new sections?

I'm sure I'll still love these, but I'm still disappointed that they didn't stick with the format they had with the Lord of the Rings appendices. It doesn't look like there's a specific featurette about Tolkien this time.

... that is because they see the extras as "continuing" from the LotR trilogy, where Tolkien and the origins of his story were already given a lot of extras, also commenting on the Hobbit or the Silmarillion.

ďA dragon is no idle fancy. Whatever may be his origins, in fact or invention, the dragon in legend is a potent creation of menís imagination, richer in significance than his barrow is in gold.Ē J.R.R. Tolkien

Words of wisdom that should be remembered - both by critics, purists and anyone in between.

Loving these menus a lot more than the TE ones. I always prefer a menu that doesn't show clips from the film. I always thinks it ruins it a bit, especially if it's as iconic a scene as the Misty Mountains song.

I would imagine the menus for Dos will be a room/house in Laketown (Bard's house is supposed to be a great set) and TABA the interior of Erebor.

ďA dragon is no idle fancy. Whatever may be his origins, in fact or invention, the dragon in legend is a potent creation of menís imagination, richer in significance than his barrow is in gold.Ē J.R.R. Tolkien

Words of wisdom that should be remembered - both by critics, purists and anyone in between.

Maybe even Beorn for DoS and Laketown for TABA, since other locations such as Thranduil's Halls or Erebor might not have that closed and complete sets.

Anyway, a really cool idea. Somewhat similar to LotR and yet unique.

ďA dragon is no idle fancy. Whatever may be his origins, in fact or invention, the dragon in legend is a potent creation of menís imagination, richer in significance than his barrow is in gold.Ē J.R.R. Tolkien

Words of wisdom that should be remembered - both by critics, purists and anyone in between.